Back is Back

Day 47 - Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

Well, after staying up late to plan our school week and getting up at 5:30 with fussy babies, this workout was a dud when I did it at 5pm. I completed 50 / 60 minute routine and skipped the Abs tape. I've had this weird thing in my back bugging me too and it was flaring up. When I started feeling like my legs were gonna give out, I knew it was time to quit. Had to rest in Child's Pose for a bit before climbing the stairs.

Got my heart rate monitor back from the repair shop - so I'll post my results.

Calories burned - 410

Average HR - 137

Max HR - 180

Knowing When

Day 40 - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X

Had a hard time with my back this week. I have a chronic issue that comes back and then I also pulled a muscle behind my rib cage earlier this week. After doing Yoga yesterday, I thought I had it under control. I spent quite a bit of time on the heating pad, and even got a rest during nap time.

I was really surprised when I felt so bad I had to quit during Legs & Back. I'm accustomed to the feeling you get when you push yourself. You pause, take a drink of water, and go on. This was more of leaning over, feeling like I was going to drop. I made it 40/60min and skipped the Ab Ripper tape. I was so wasted, I got cleaned up, had a small bowl of soup and went to bed about 8:30!

Tomorrow is a new day.

Sultan of Squats

Day 32 - Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

So many squats. Oof. I didn't sleep much last night, so working these large muscle groups took it's toll very quickly. I really like alternating between the pull-ups and the many variations of squats - I at least FEEL like I am getting a break. I was very against doing the Ab Ripper DVD today - but I was a good little girl and did it anyhow. I completed all but the last 5 minutes. I just couldn't do any more.

I've decided to stop taking the P90X Results and Recovery Formula drink. I posted another small gain for the third week in a row. I looked to the beachbody.com website for some explanation and decided that the Creatine in the drink is causing water retention in my muscles. This is a good thing during recovery, but can show as a bad thing on the scale. I will now be drinking a cup of skim milk with a tablespoon of honey mixed in as my protein/simple carb recovery drink. I know I'm getting leaner and stronger, but I want to see the scale results as well.

If It's Tingling It's Working

Day 19 - Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

As the mother of 4 children, I have been tired a couple of times in the last 12 years. My definition of the feelings that goes with the statement "I'm so tired!" has changed over time. This week, I have added a new feeling to go with that statement. The drained to the bone marrow, to weak to stand on legs made of jell-o, feeling. My muscle fibers seem to be "tingling" somehow...feels nearly restless. I pray there is much building going on. Boy am I ever looking forward to week 4...a "recovery" week. I know better than to think it will be easy, but my large muscle groups sure could use a break!

I was so happy to be able to complete all of the Mason Twists at the end of the Ab Ripper DVD! I modify by only raising one leg and alternating every 10 reps - but 3 weeks ago I could do nothing close to that! Three more weeks and I may not be modifying anymore. Progress...it's gorgeous.

Calories burned: 553

Average HR: 130

Max HR: 182

Can Do Attitude

Day 12 - Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

I was so surprised during the first set of pull ups. In the P90X material, there is coaching to leave behind "I can't" and replace it with "I currently struggle with." Well, I can't do...I mean...I currently struggle with Pull Ups. You can imagine my surprise when I pumped out 5 in the first set!

*WOW*

I am so very impressed with my progress so far. I did more of the Ab Ripper exercises than I had even done on Sunday! It is truly amazing, the increase in ability even after 12 short days. On a nutrition note, I added one serving of complex carbohydrates to my day, at breakfast. I find that I am extremely fatigued during the day and can't catch up. The carbs seemed to help.

Calories burned: 577

Average HR: 131

Max HR: 179

Hello Jell-O

Day 5 - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X

My fantastic husband straightened up the basement a whole lot today to make room for me to "Bring It." Previously we had the game system hooked up to the same TV as the one I use for doing exercise DVD's. In that same room was also the treadmill, the step boxes, the free weights, the exercise ball, the fan, a recliner, the deep freeze...

Thanks to his clever rearranging, and some pitching of things were really weren't using, I had plenty of room to do so many lunges that I could barley sit to write this. Thanks honey!

Legs & Back (58min) - Lunges, squats, and chin ups, oh my! One legged wall squats are now my nemesis. The variety of lunges was interesting and I got a good chance to work on perfect form for squats. My legs feel very "weak"...like cooked spaghetti, or jell-o.

Ab Ripper X (15min) - I did a few more of two of the exercises today! Doing this routine after the beating my legs took was tough. There are Scissors, Heels to Heaven, and some crazy thing called Crunchy Frog that I remember from the Power 90 Masters series. I actually felt like throwing up once and had to pause so I didn't loose it.

Dang, I'm tired tonight.

Calories burned: 536

Average HR: 128

Max HR: 179

Times I nearly threw up: 1